Physicists Pay Range in Rhode Island
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$86,340
- 25th Percentile — Junior$111,240
- 50th Percentile — Median$155,150
- 75th Percentile — Senior$187,080
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$298,000
Half of Physicists in Rhode Island earn more than $155,150. The top 10% make $298,000 or more, while entry-level workers start around $86,340.
Physicists in Rhode Island: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Rhode Island ranks 19th of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $169,270 per year (1.1% below the U.S. average of $171,180).
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,340; the top 10% earn over $298,000.
- Hourly equivalent: $81.38 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in Rhode Island, Medical Scientists pays the most ($121,140).
Physicists Job Market in Rhode Island
Key factors affecting compensation
Rhode Island's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated moderate. Physicists here earn $169,270 on average, placing the state 19th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.15 (U.S. = 1.00), a Rhode Island salary of $169,270 is roughly equivalent to $147,191 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Iowa ($176,230), New Jersey ($175,090), Ohio ($172,300) are the closest alternatives for Physicists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in Rhode Island
Related career salary benchmarks
- Medical Scientists $121,140/yr Rhode Island 28.4% vs this role
- Geoscientists $119,270/yr Rhode Island 29.5% vs this role
- Chemists $106,450/yr Rhode Island 37.1% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $104,460/yr Rhode Island 38.3% vs this role
- Conservation Scientists $92,230/yr Rhode Island 45.5% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $88,410/yr Rhode Island 47.8% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $85,530/yr Rhode Island 49.5% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $84,670/yr Rhode Island 50.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in Rhode Island?
The average Physicists salary in Rhode Island is $169,270 per year (median $155,150), which is 1.1% below the national average of $171,180.
How does Rhode Island rank for Physicists pay?
Rhode Island ranks 19th out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in Rhode Island?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in Rhode Island earn about $86,340 per year and the 25th percentile is $111,240.
How much do Physicists make per hour in Rhode Island?
About $81.38 per hour, based on the $169,270 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
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